ANIMAL CRUEL TY,
NEGLECT AND
ABANDONMENT
734 WEST 20TH
STREET COSTA
MESA, CA 92627
• The City of Costa Mesa has been aware of the unsanitary conditions at this property since 1982, if not before, as evidenced by this notice sent to the homeowners.
• Neighbors have been complaining for decades about
the accumulation of junk and debris, as well as the numerous animals living on the property and the smell of feces and urine that litter the property and sidewalks.
• We contacted City Code Enforcement OfficersYsenia
Gallardo, Rene Macias, Yiseal Murillo and Angelina Pierini about the fact that there were still live cats present on the property.
• We were given different answers from each of them. Yiseal Murillo stated that "she went to the property herself and only saw 5 cats so there wasn’t a big concern and they'll just disperse into the neighborhood ". Animal Control said
concerned residents could trap the cats/kittens and then call them after they were caught. Animal Control also stated they could not enter the property without permission from Code Enforcement.
• What took Code Enforcement so long to get this property red tagged? • Who authorized the demo of this property when there are still live animals present?
• Why didn't Animal Control try to trap these cats and get them the medical attention they need?
• Does Animal Control not understand that animals who are sick and not spayed/neutered will continue to reproduce and cause more harm to the community in the future?
• Why does the City of Costa Mesa not support TNR when it has been proven effective in many communities throughout the country?
• Why are our tax dollars paying the salaries of Animal Control Officers and Code Enforcement Officers that ask private citizens to do their jobs? • How can we get a guarantee from the City Council and The Mayor that future hoarding situations in Costa Mesa are not allowed to escalate to this level? So Many Questions, So Few Answers...
“Several counties and cities throughout California
have TNR programs by having municipal codes that
allow community cats and the management of their
colonies via such programs. Orange County is the
only county that does not allow a TNR program,
but also does not offer any spay and neuter clinics
to help the community in lieu of TNR.”
The following counties DO support TNR:
Los Angeles County
Riverside County
Ventura County
•Our volunteer network will continue to trap
the cats at this property and ensure that they
receive the medical care they need.
•We have created a GoFundMe to cover the
medical and relocation costs of these cats.
•We are doing the jobs that our taxpayer dollars
pay city employees to do.
•The current animal control system is clearly
broken and we are asking you to fix it.
PLEASE DO
BETTER FOR
THE CATS OF
COSTA MESA
THANK YOU
Fairview Park in 2003
Graded vernal pool watershed in 2005
Grading expanded 2009
San Diego Button Celery
A launch/land site not to exceed
one foot in width and 600 foot
string (FPMP p.33)
Western
Kingbird
waiting
Making the Case for Stopping
Rodeos at State Fairs
Heather Wilson, CRNA, MS
(& a long list of Animal Organizations)
The Unwilling Participants
Before
After
“Any PRCA member caught using unnecessary roughness or abusing an animal may be immediately disqualified from the rodeo and fined.” yet roughness and abuse are seen at EVERY single rodeo, during EVERY single event .
Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA)
CA Penal Code 596.7
Fort Wayne, Indiana
St. Petersburg, Florida
Greenburgh, New York
Irvine, California
Pasadena, California
Napa County, California
Chino Hills, California
Laguna Woods, California
Source: www.ALDF.org;
www.AnimalLaw.info
Let California Lead The Way
State fairs are family attractions with
lots of children
Witnessing violence has a profound
effect on young minds
Kindness, compassion, empathy and
respect are priceless lessons
City Council Meeting
September 5, 2023
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
LIAISONS REGARDING CITY COMMITTEES
2 Overview
City Council
Set Goals, Objectives, and Policies for
the City.
Committees (8)
Provide policy recommendations to
City Council
Committees play an integral role in providing feedback and recommendations to staff and the City Council regarding public policy matters
Committees provide an excellent opportunity for community engagement and for residents to provide consistent input to the City Council.
Committees allow for public participation and comment on various specialized topics.
3 Background
• At the April 4, 2023 City Council meeting, after
receiving public input, the Mayor requested for each
Committee Liaison to meet with their respective
Committees and provide recommendations regarding
each Committee’s scope, membership, Ad Hoc
Committee formation criteria, alternates, etc.
4 Staff recommends that the City Council approve the
recommendations of the City Council Committee Liaisons as follows:
1. Review and approve the City Council Liaisons recommendations on the Committees’ Scopes of Work
2. Streamline all Committees to seven (7) members, through attrition as terms expire, except for the Active Transportation Committee, Mobile Home Park Advisory Committee and the Traffic Impact Fee Committee.
3. Consent to the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee (e.g. standing committees, subcommittees, working groups) upon approval of the City Council Liaison and City Attorney.
4. Request staff to meet with the Costa Mesa Historical Society on a potential merger of the Society and the Historical Preservation Committee.
5. Approve revised Council Policy 000.2, with City Council’s recommendations to be incorporated.
Questions?
AUTHORIZATION OF PARK RANGER
(HARPER PARK) & UPDATE REGARDING
ENHANCED SECURITY AT NMUSD
SCHOOL FIELDS ON THE WESTSIDE
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
2 Background
• Increase access to open space for recreational community use. • City and NMUSD staff worked collaboratively to identify school sites, specifically on the Westside, to meet the community’s need for open space.
• Address issues at the school field adjacent to Harper Park and the safety of students while providing community access. • Determine the need for additional resources to ensure the safety and security of fields on school sites as well as the residents.
3 Additional Resources
Areas of Concern
• Authorize one (1) full-time Park Ranger
position during school hours
• Patrol and monitor activity at Harper Park
and fields on weekdays during school
hours
• Educate and emphasize responsible pet
ownership
• Park Ambassadors can provide roving and
monitoring after-school hours and on
weekends
• Six-month Pilot Program to be revisited in
January 2024.
Staffing
• Safety of approximately 200 students
onsite
• Off-leash dogs
• Responsible pet ownership
• Access to field for residents
4 NMUSD Sites - Open Space for Recreational
Opportunities
Westside NMUSD School Fields
Proposed for After Hours Use
• Negotiating additional services at up
to four (4) school sites with the current
service provider, Lyons Security
Services, as needed.
• During afterschool hours on weekdays
and weekends.
• Proposed school sites:
• Rea Elementary
• Wilson Elementary
• Whittier Elementary
• Pomona Elementary
Security Services
5 1. Authorize an increase to the City’s Table of Organization by one full-time Park Ranger position in the Police
Department and increase the Fiscal Year 2023-34
Adopted Budget accordingly.
2. Receive and file an update on upcoming amendments
negotiated by the City Manager to the existing Lyons
Security Services agreement to increase access to open
space at up to four elementary school sites on the
Westside (Rea, Wilson, Whittier, and potentially
Pomona), as previously approved by the City Council.
Recommendations
6 Thank You
COMPENSATION PLAN AND SALARY
SCHEDULE REVISIONS FOR THE PARKS
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
September 5, 2023
Background
• The Parks and Community Services Director position is currently vacant and the Human Resources Division is preparing to open this recruitment.
• In order to attract a higher qualified applicant pool for this critical position, an adjustment to the salary range is recommended. • The Parks and Community Services Director position is the only executive position that has not had a market review and adjustment in the last several years.
Analysis
• The total compensation analysis revealed that the Parks and Community Services Director position is 11.40% below
market.
AGENCY MAX BASE TOTAL COMP
Costa Mesa $195,588 $222,055
Fountain Valley $202,365 $236,168
Huntington Beach $224,702 $232,967
Irvine $247,416 $274,118
Newport Beach $255,391 $259,221
Santa Ana $219,780 $234,358
Average $247,366
-11.40%
Recommendations
• The salary ranges for the Parks and Community
Services Director are recommended for
adjustment.
• The annual estimated impact of the adjustment is
$15,316.
• This item supports the City Council’s goal to
Recruit and Retain High Quality Staff.
QUESTIONS?
City Council Meeting
September 5, 2023
Council direction re: the research for and
potential development of amendments to the
City’s cannabis ordinances
2 Background
• On November 3, 2020, Costa Mesa voters approved
Measure Q, The Costa Mesa Retail Cannabis Tax
and Regulation Measure.
• On June 15, 2021, the City adopted ordinances
establishing minimum standards and permitting
requirements.
3 Current Request
• At the July 18, 2023 City Council meeting, Councilmember Marr requested that an item be agendized for the next City Council meeting to discuss the possibility of exploring amendments to the City’s ordinance to address concerns regarding potential overconcentration and potential business displacement.
4 Cannabis Storefront Application Process
Pre-
Application &
Waitlist
Cannabis
Business
Permit
Application
Conditional
Use Permit
Building
Permits
&
Inspections
Cannabis
Business
Permit &
Business
License
Issued
Location
Verification
Site Visit
Pre-application
Determination
Letter Issued
Business Plan
Security Plan
Background
Checks
Notice to
Proceed to
submit a CUP
application
Evaluate
site/use
Staff Report/
Conditions
Public Notice
Planning
Commission
Plan Check
Conditions of
Approval
Compliance
Final
Inspections
Defense &
Indemnity
Insurance
Meeting with
Finance Dept.
2 Year Renewal
5 Cannabis Storefront Application Status
Pre-
Application &
Waitlist
Cannabis
Business
Permit
Application
Conditional
Use Permit
Building
Permits
&
Inspections
Cannabis
Business Permit
&
Business
License Issued
15 pre-applications
2 waitlist
4 applications 21 approved
12 in the
queue
13 applications 7 operating
6 Cannabis Businesses Operating
• 1990 Harbor Blvd (420 Central) – Issued November 22, 2022 • 2801 Harbor Blvd (Off The Charts) – Issued May 8, 2023 • 2710 Harbor Blvd (Stiiizy) – Issued May 10, 2023
• 2275 Newport Blvd (Nectar) – Issued June 16, 2023
• 1854 Newport Blvd (Mr. Nice Guy) – Issued June 29, 2023 • 2664 Newport Blvd (Secret Garden) – Issued July 12, 2023 • 170 East 17th Street (Catalyst) – Issued July 20, 2023 7 8
Recommendation
• Staff recommends the City Council provide direction regarding researching and exploring with the Planning Commission
options and amendments to the City’s cannabis ordinances to address potential unanticipated business displacement and overconcentration of cannabis retail businesses.